[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

If you're concerned about how a boat handles rough water then refer to its deadrise; this is the angle, in degrees, between horizontal (the water surface) and the bottom of the hull at the transom. the value usually ranges from 0 degrees (a flat bottom boat) to 24 degrees (many performance boats). Modern dayboats and cruisers usually have about 18 degrees of deadrise. More deadrise creates a sharper angle at the keel, allowing the boat to penetrate waves more smoothly than a flat bottom.

My 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 has 21 degrees of deadrise and handles rough water fairly well, but not as well as a friend's 1986 Wellcraft 21' with 24 degrees of deadrise.
A 2015 Four Winns Horizon 200 has 20 degrees of deadrise.
A 2016 TAHOE 550 TS (cheaper, less powerful boat) has 16 degrees of deadrise.
Bayliner doesn't publish deadrise for their boats.
Do you see a trend here?

Lower deadrise allows a boat to plane with less power and lower fuel cost, but at the expense of a smooth ride.

Great explanation!!